BSEP vs ZAUG
Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September vs Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr August
Which is better, BSEP or ZAUG?
BSEP has been ahead.
BSEP led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | BSEP | ZAUG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79%Tie | 0.79%Tie |
| AUM | $470M | $165M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 1,520 | 21 |
| YTD Return | +10.32%Best | +4.59% |
| 1Y Return | +13.43%Best | +5.65% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.86% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.29% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 7.8% | 3.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -13.4% | -4.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.2 years | $13,331Best | $11,631 |
| Fund Family | Innovator ETFs Trust | Innovator ETFs Trust |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Option Writing | Option Writing |
| Inception | Aug 30, 2019 | Jul 31, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 1, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (2.2 years).
BSEP vs ZAUG growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 2.2 years both funds cover.
BSEP vs ZAUG Performance
Innovator U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - September (BSEP) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust and Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 1 Yr August (ZAUG) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust. Over the past year BSEP returned +13.43% while ZAUG returned +5.65%. Year to date, BSEP is up 10.32% versus a gain of 4.59% for ZAUG.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BSEP has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 7.8% compared with 3.0% for ZAUG. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -13.4% for BSEP and -4.8% for ZAUG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.97. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BSEP charges 0.79% per year while ZAUG charges 0.79%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $79 annually. On income, BSEP currently yields 0.00% against 0.00% for ZAUG.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 494 holdings in BSEP and 1 in ZAUG, totalling 98.2% and 100.5% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 494 positions we hold weights for in BSEP and 1 in ZAUG, against full books of 1,520 and 21.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BSEP and ZAUG you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, BSEP or ZAUG?
BSEP has an expense ratio of 0.79% while ZAUG charges 0.79%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, BSEP or ZAUG?
Over the past year BSEP returned +13.43% vs +5.65% for ZAUG, so BSEP leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), BSEP annualized +13.96% vs +7.11% for ZAUG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BSEP or ZAUG?
BSEP has been the more volatile fund at 7.8% annualized versus 3.0% for ZAUG. Worst drawdown: BSEP -13.4% vs ZAUG -4.8%.
Should I hold both BSEP and ZAUG?
BSEP and ZAUG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.97, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, BSEP or ZAUG?
BSEP yields 0.00% while ZAUG yields 0.00%, so ZAUG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is ZAUG better than BSEP?
BSEP led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.